I am so proud to say Gai Jatra is the one festival celebrated only in Nepal. It is not shared by any of our neighbouring country. Only Nepal has the copyright of this festivalwhich is famous for it’s uniqueness as well. Here Gai is the Nepali word for cow. Jatra means carnival of people. In simple words Gai jatra is said to be the day of worshipping cows in which lots of carnivals are shown on the streets by the people according to their culture and tradition. In ancient times it was considered to be the festival only of Newars residing in Kathmandu valley. But now the festival has spread it’s unity and joy all over to Nepal regardless of any Casts andethnicity.
Hence, from the day King Pratap Malla started the tradition of cow procession with boys with different funny make ups in funny costumes. The boys even put tails and make up like monkeys and Hunuman walk though the city road to show people that the death is the truth in the life and every one has to face it one day. The Gai Jatra tradition slowly developed into doing humorous acts including jokes, satires, mockery and lampoon in the Gai Jatra days.
After the cow procession is over, in the afternoon, everyone takes part in another tradition in which the participants dress up and wear masks. There also people enjoy the moments with songs, jokes, mockery and humors until late evening.
Gai Jatra is a festival which enables people to accept the reality of death and to prepare oneself for the life after death. It heals the grief and sorrow, at least a little, when people see the cow possession and realize people die, and we are not alone in the country who lost our loved ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment